Denver Health strongly values community engagement and established a Community Advisory Panel (CAP), which is supported by the Office of Research / Center for Health Systems Research. The CAP consists of community members who reflect and represent DH's diverse patient population. Members bring insight from their personal experiences as patient advocates, healthcare consumers, and small business owners. Others are professionals who dedicate their careers to advocating for the communities they represent. The CAP provides culturally responsive community perspectives to guide the development, implementation, interpretation, and dissemination of initiatives at Denver Health, and recently expanded to provide greater community input on operational activities such as hiring key clinical positions and on topics related to bioethics. The CAP was initially established in 2013 as part of an Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) infrastructure grant and transitioned into being fully operationally supported in 2018.
The Community Advisory Panel (CAP)
Board Members
Sarah Julianelle (co-chair)
Sarah Julianelle is an experienced nurse with a passion for teaching. She has worked for almost 20 years and holds a masters in Nursing. She is deeply committed to the Denver community and currently serves as chair of the board for Save Our Youth, a non-profit serving Denver’s vulnerable youth. Sarah is also working to address health needs among underserved communities through customized interventions with community-based non-profits. One example of this work is her partnership with Cross Purpose, a non-profit that focuses on career development for underserved people in the Denver community.
Julio Martinez Coronado (co-chair)
Julio Martinez Coronado is a visionary and influential multicultural engagement leader, board executive, and transformation strategist at Denver Health with over 15 years in marketing and communications experience. Julio's leadership strengths include building trust and rapport with diverse stakeholder groups, fostering collaborative partnerships, driving change, and delivering results. He is a connector and unifier who is able to get people on board, increase representation, and ensure the highest quality organizational decision-making. He is passionate about creating a culture of belonging and a fervent advocate and champion for cultural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Julio's involvement in the community includes being the Co-CEO for the Latino Arts & Cultural Institute, Chair of the Newman Center for the Performing Advisory Board, Board Member of the Front Range Area Health Education Center, and Co-chair of the Community Advisory Panel at Denver Health.
Liliana Aldama
Liliana Aldama migrated to New York City with her father at 15. She worked as a housekeeper and then moved to Denver as a single mother. She gained new skills through Denver Workforce and landed a job as a receptionist. She graduated in accounting and finance from the University of Colorado. Liliana has worked with Centro Humanitario to help immigrants find work. She is currently an accountant at a lighting company and participates in "Vive por tu salud" to improve her pre-diabetes condition.
Greyson “Grey” Baccellieri
Grey Baccellieri is a Colorado native and full-time student at UC Denver. He is majoring in intercultural communication with a digital studies certificate and looks forward to using his degree to engage with the Denver community and beyond. He comes from a family of Bolivian immigrants and sees his degree as a step towards a career in bridging divides between groups of people such as his family, who come from differing cultures and experiences. He is passionate about advocating for mental health resources as he has close family members who struggle with mental health and has firsthand experience interacting with the health care system. He is also a transgender man and feels strongly about using his voice and the power of his personal experiences to bring resources to the LGBTQ+ community.
Benzel Jimmerson
Benzel Jimerson is the Founder and Owner of Diversity Dynamics, an Umbrella Corporation established in 2007 that came with some significant life experiences. Diversity Dynamics has been selected to Direct the Metro Denver Economic Equity Project (DEEP) by the Colorado Health Foundation to increase the overall health of the African Descended community in Denver through Economic Equity… The long-term goal is for us to Benzel's most cherished position is that of father to his 5 amazing children.
Erika Righter
Born and raised in Boston, Erika Righter is a social worker-turned small business owner. Since coming to Colorado, she has worked with youth experiencing homelessness and in the foster care system, rural families, and with low-income older adults. In 2012, Erika founded Hope Tank, a gift store that gives back in the heart of the Baker neighborhood. She uses retail to connect the over 40,000 customers who come into Hope Tank every year to organizations doing important work in our community. Erika serves on the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Partnerships Commission and the board of the AJL Foundation. She does impact consulting, started a directory called The Hope Slinger’s Guide that serves women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA-owned and small businesses that give back, and she is a solo Mom to two young children.
Maria Elena Rivera
Maria Elena Rivera is a program administrator at DEN Workforce Services. She previously worked as a resource coordinator at the Montbello Workforce Center for DEDO. She holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration and Leadership from Adams State University. Maria Elena began her career in social work and community-based mental health in California. She moved to Colorado in 2003 and worked as a youth outreach advocate for the Migrant Education Program. She enjoys DIY projects, fishing, and spending time with her family.
Maya Wheeler
Maya Wheeler is the founder of the Wezesha Dada Center, committed to empowering BIPOC women and girls in Colorado. With over 15 years of progressive expertise, Maya is a fervent community advocate for African Americans, African Immigrants, Latinos, and those facing systemic barriers. Maya has extensive service experience and has held leadership roles on various boards, showcasing her commitment to community well-being. She is a member of the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange Outreach/Communications Advisory Group. Maya's legacy in health advocacy, social justice, and community empowerment is a powerful testament to her unwavering dedication to enriching the lives of those she serves. She holds a master’s in health administration.
e Wezesha Dada Center, committed to empowering BIPOC women and girls in Colorado. With over 15 years of progressive expertise, Maya is a fervent community advocate for African Americans, African Immigrants, Latinos, and those facing systemic barriers. Maya has extensive service experience and has held leadership roles on various boards, showcasing her commitment to community well-being. She is a member of the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange Outreach/Communications Advisory Group. Maya's legacy in health advocacy, social justice, and community empowerment is a powerful testament to her unwavering dedication to enriching the lives of those she serves. She holds a master’s in health administration.